Whether you’ve just arrived in Noosa or you’re wrapping up a few days at Hastings Street, the question is always the same: where to next? The good news is Noosa sits right at the northern end of Australia’s east coast backpacker trail, which means you’ve got a lot of ground ahead of you and a whole community of travellers heading the same way.
JOEY Travel runs a hop-on hop-off backpacker bus service along the east coast, connecting Noosa south through Brisbane, the Gold Coast and all the way down to Byron Bay. Here’s everything you need to know about where you can go, what’s included, and how the routes work.
From Noosa, JOEY Travel connects you to the following destinations:
Rainbow Beach (and K’gari / Fraser Island access)
Noosa (departure point)
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Byron Bay
All of these are covered under a single JOEY pass, so you can hop off wherever you want and catch the next bus when you’re ready to move on. No need to rebook or stress about missing a connection.
How long does it take to get from Noosa to Byron Bay?
The drive from Noosa to Byron Bay takes roughly 6 hours by road. On JOEY, you travel via Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which means you get to break the journey up and spend time at each stop rather than sitting on a bus for a full day.
Byron Bay is one of the most iconic stops on the east coast backpacker trail. Known for its beaches, surf culture, live music and laid-back atmosphere, it’s the kind of place that was supposed to be a two-night stop and ends up being two weeks. JOEY’s Byron Bay connection makes it easy to reach from Noosa without the hassle of organising your own transport.
See JOEY’s recommendations for Byron Bay
How far is it from Noosa to the Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast is approximately 145km south of Noosa, roughly a 4-hour drive. On JOEY, it’s a straightforward hop south with a stop in Brisbane along the way if you want to break it up.
The Gold Coast is a great stop for theme parks, beaches and nightlife. JOEY travellers heading south from Noosa regularly stop here before continuing on to Byron Bay, making it a natural midpoint on the journey down the coast.
Learn more about the best things to do in the Gold Coast
Can you get from Noosa to Brisbane on JOEY?
Yes. Brisbane is one of JOEY’s core stops between Noosa and the Gold Coast. It takes around 2 hours from Noosa by road and sits almost exactly between Noosa and the Gold Coast on the route south.
Brisbane is well worth a stop in its own right. South Bank, the CBD, Fortitude Valley and the surrounding areas give you plenty to do, and it’s a solid base if you’re planning day trips into the Scenic Rim or the hinterland.
Can you get from Noosa to Rainbow Beach on JOEY?
Yes. The Noosa to Rainbow Beach runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The JOEY bus from Noosa to Rainbow Beach takes an hour and a half.
See all of our Rainbow Beach recommendations.
JOEY offers three pass options designed for different types of trips:
Our shortest package, built for travellers who want a fast-paced run down the coast. Covers the core route with a curated selection of accommodation and inclusions.
More time, same great route. The 11 Day Adventure gives you the flexibility to spend an extra night or two at your favourite stops and really settle into each place rather than rushing through.
All the adventure, with upgraded experiences and stays. Designed for travellers who want a little more comfort without losing the backpacker community vibe that makes the east coast what it is.
All packages include accommodation, and a community of other travellers going the same way. It’s not just a bus. It’s a crew. See all JOEY packages now.
JOEY runs one core route along Australia’s east coast:
Rainbow Beach > Noosa > Brisbane > Gold Coast > Byron Bay
The service runs as a hop-on hop-off pass, meaning you purchase a pass that covers the full route and use it however suits your trip. You can travel the whole route end-to-end, or jump off at any stop and explore before catching the next bus.
If you’re based in Noosa for a few days before heading south, there are some great day trips worth building into your itinerary.
Located in Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Australia Zoo is about an hour south of Noosa. It’s one of Australia’s most famous wildlife experiences and a solid day out if you haven’t been.
JOEY operates weekly day trips to this East Coast Hidden Gem. Gather the crew and jump onboard to check out the falls. Stop off at a classic Aussie Country Pub on the way home.
The national park sits right next to Noosa township and offers some of the best coastal walks on the Sunshine Coast. You can knock it out in a morning and still have time to hit Main Beach in the afternoon.
Yes. JOEY’s hop-on hop-off pass covers the full route from Noosa (and Rainbow Beach) south to Byron Bay, with stops in Brisbane and the Gold Coast along the way.
You purchase a JOEY pass that covers the full route. At each stop, you decide how long you want to stay. When you’re ready to move on, you jump back on the next JOEY bus. There’s no fixed schedule you have to stick to.
JOEY passes include transport between all stops on the route. Specific inclusions vary by package. Check the Packages page on joeytravel.com.au for a full breakdown of what’s included in each tier.
JOEY is built for independent travellers aged 18 to 35 who want to explore the east coast without the hassle of planning every leg themselves. If that sounds like you, JOEY is built for you.
Head to joeytravel.com.au to see current packages and pricing, or book a call with the team if you want to talk through which pass suits your trip.
Ready to head south from Noosa? Explore JOEY Travel packages here: https://joeytravel.com.au/packages
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